By following these handy tips, you can stay at home by a toasty fire, rather than trekking to the vet clinic in the middle of a frigid night.
Decoration dangers for pets
Decorations can be hazardous to your pet’s health if ingested. It’s important to select tree ornaments that are too large to be swallowed in a single gulp by a dog or cat.
As lovely as they are, glass ornaments are also a danger. If they break, your pets may decide the pieces look like delicious treats and could eat them with disastrous consequences: cuts to the throat, digestive system, and mouth.
Tinsel is another decorative item that is wise to forego if you have pets. In addition to getting tangled in it, pets may choke on it or get it caught in their stomachs.
“Swallowing stuff that’s not meant to be eaten can cause very serious problems,” says veterinarian Phil Baxter. “Unless you see it being eaten, it’s a tough diagnosis. Monitor your pets that have a tendency to chew.”
In addition, ornaments may be painted with or created from substances that are toxic to pets. Hang them high enough off the ground that your pets can’t reach them.
Christmas plants toxic to pets
Ah, the smell of Christmas greenery—how enticing! Unfortunately, many of the plants associated with the holiday season aren’t pet friendly.
Among the varieties that can spell disaster are:
Holly. These pointy plants may provoke depression, diarrhea and intense vomiting if ingested.
Mistletoe. Kissing under the mistletoe is fine, but having the plant itself anywhere near your pet’s mouth is a recipe for illness. If ingested, it has the potential to cause excessive drooling and digestive upset, while larger quantities can prompt heart arrhythmias or neurological issues.
Pine needles. If eaten by your pet, these fragrant needles may cause oral irritation, lethargy, trembling, or posterior weakness.
Poinsettias. Oral and stomach irritation, including vomiting, may result if a pet nibbles on these festive flowers.
Lilies. These lovely white blooms can cause kidney failure in cats—and not only the flowers. The pollen and the water in the vase pose dangers as well.
Avoid pets chewing electrical cords
Pets love to chew on all kinds of odd objects, and electrical cords are no exception. Check your lighting cords for bite marks or fraying, and replace those that are wearing out. Use three-pronged plugs for additional safety.
If you can keep the cords out of reach, so much the better. Pets can get electric burns or be electrocuted if they chew through the insulation of a live wire. They can also have seizures or suffer from dangerous levels of fluid building up in their lungs.
